Nation

Muslim NGOs hold protest against Obama's visit

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Muslim non-governmental organisations led by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (Mapim) marched from the Tabung Haji building here to the US Embassy Friday to protest President Barack Obama's visit this weekend.

Members of various organisations spoke out against the visit during the protest which started around 2pm, saying Obama's presence in Malaysia would be harmful to the country.

Referring to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) Gamis representative Muhammad Afiq Awang Bakar said signing the agreement would allow the US to sue and rule the economy of Malaysia.

"Countries like Indonesia and Thailand protested against the signing and are now not bound by the agreement, hence we know that it is not compulsory.

"If we commit to this agreement, the cost of living will go up and the lives of Malaysians will be further complicated," he said.

He asked why people were being kept in the dark over TPPA.

"The Government is hiding the truth and we know that once it is signed, we give access to another country to have effective ruling powers over our nation.

"We disapprove of Obama's visit and TPPA as we are an independent nation," he said.

He also said the US had caused the deaths of many Muslims around the world.

"As an Islamic nation, it doesn't do justice to permit him here," he added.